I love going to the park. After two weeks of taking a four and six year old to the park, I have begun to recognize the other children and their NouNous, Nannys. There is boy, not older than 4 but small for his age, who wears baby-blue glasses and runs around shaking his curly head and clenched fists at the invisible evils of the playground. Another warrior of the same age but asian blood wields a sword when it is not resting in the scabbard hanging from his tummy. My 6 year old often shepherds the twin brunettes up and down the slide, through the sandbox, or onto the seesaw. If you have been an au pair or been watched by one for long, you know who belongs to who. For example, if the little blond begins to wander from the circle of benches that surrounds the play area, an older child will inform the proper nanny, in this case a heavy-set couple with harsh faces and 5-7 charges. Though I am a little jealous, I enjoying watching the children play. My favorite years will forever be my childhood.

My dinner tonight consisted of steamed broccoli and a vegetable from the pumpkin family Madame Maunoury often eats. It was quite delicious. Even better were the three mini apples I steamed and ate with  cannelle, miel, and walnuts. The Maunourys brought home the large bundle of apples two weeks ago after one of their sundays in the country. I do my best to not let them spoil.